Attacker found guilty of trying to murder homeless man in city

HE STAMPED ON DEFENCELESS VICTIM'S HEAD AND HIT HIM WITH BOTTLE AND A POLE

- By MARTIN NAYLOR [e-mail]

the incident in Upper Parliament Street

A 35-YEAR-OLD attacker tried to kill a homeless man in a city centre loading bay by kicking, stamping and raining down blows with a scaffolding pole.

Nottingham Crown Court heard how Otis McDevitt repeatedly struck the defenceless victim, who required emergency surgery to save his life.

Just three days later, while a patient at a mental health hospital in the city, he suddenly attacked a fellow patient with a pool cue, knocking out a number of teeth.

Now, following a three-day trial, a jury took just two hours to unanimously find him guilty of attempted murder and wounding with intent.

Prosecutor David Outterside, opening the trial, said: "On May 9, 2023, this defendant violently attacked a homeless man in the city centre and, after he'd got him on the ground, repeatedly struck him to the head with kicks, stamps, a glass bottle and a metal pole, causing life threatening injuries.